Around every corner at the Arboretum, you’ll find a story waiting to be discovered. Join us this December for a mesmerising journey with a difference. With the night sky setting the scene, Illuminated transforms our landscape using light, sound and colour to bring our special stories to life. It’s magical, meaningful, and memorable, and an experience that everyone will enjoy.
Something extraordinary awaits around every bend along your Illuminated journey, from dazzling installations that tell important stories, to fun hands-on elements you can control and touch. To mark the end of our 25th anniversary year, this year’s route will share special stories associated with our first 25 years.
Entry to Illuminated Arboretum is every 30 minutes between 4.30pm and 6.30pm (7pm on peak evenings). Relaxed sessions will be held at 4.30pm on 9, 13 and 15 December
Once you have entered the event, please feel free to spend as long as you wish exploring Illuminated until the Arboretum closes.
Tickets for Illuminated will not be available on 7 and 14 December.
| Advance Tickets | Standard Tickets | |
| Adult | £22 | £27 |
| Child (5-15) | £13 | £16 |
| Child (Under 5) | Free | Free |
| Carer | Free | Free |
| NMA Friend* | Save 10% on up to 4 adult tickets |
Please note: Advance Tickets are available until 30 September 2026.
*NMA Friends should call 01283 245 100 to book tickets. Discount valid for up to four tickets per NMA Friend. All other tickets will be charged at the standard rate. The NMA Friend must be a member of the party attending the event.
Standard Arboretum parking charges will apply. Parking can be purchased at the time of booking, or on the evening when you arrive at the Arboretum.
| Advanced Tickets | Standard Tickets | |
| Adult | £20 | £25 |
| Child (5-15) | £12 | £15 |
| Child (Under 5) | Free | Free |
| Carer | Free | Free |
| NMA Friend* | Save 10% on up to 4 adult tickets |
Please note: Advanced Tickets are available until 30 September 2026.
*NMA Friends should call 01283 245 100 to book tickets. Discount valid for up to four tickets per NMA Friend. All other tickets will be charged at the standard rate. The NMA Friend must be a member of the party attending the event.
Standard Arboretum parking charges will apply. Parking can be purchased at the time of booking, or on the evening when you arrive at the Arboretum.
Groups of ten or more persons* can benefit from special group discounted tickets for off-peak evenings. Please call 01283 244 896 to book.
| Adult | £18 |
| Child (5-15) | £10 |
*Group must include a minimum of ten Adult or Child (5-15) tickets.
Standard Arboretum parking charges will apply. Parking can be purchased at the time of booking, or on the evening when you arrive at the Arboretum.
School and Uniformed Youth groups can benefit from special group discounted tickets for off-peak evenings. Please call 01283 245 100, or email groups@thenma.org.uk to book.
School groups can also benefit from one free adult ticket per ten* booked.
| Adult | £18 |
| Child (5-15) | £10 |
*Group must include a minimum of ten Adult or Child (5-15) tickets.
Standard Arboretum parking charges will apply. Parking can be purchased at the time of booking, or on the evening when you arrive at the Arboretum.
Relaxed sessions will be held at 4.30pm on 9, 13 and 15 December. Capacities to attend relaxed sessions will be limited, and the experience will feature more muted light and sound effects.
Visitors with specific questions relating to accessibility can contact us in advance of their visit on 01283 245 100 or email info@thenma.org.uk.
During your visit our team will also be happy to answer any questions or queries. A visual story of the Illuminated experience will be available in the days before the event.
Free sensory backpacks can be borrowed from our Welcome Desk. The backpacks include fidget toys and a torch - which could be helpful as the trail is outside and in the dark.
Accessible toilets are available about halfway along the route and in the Remembrance Centre, where a Changing Places Facility is also available.
Baby changing facilities are available in the Remembrance Centre.
Though much of the experience travels along our hard-standing pathways, the route does feature areas where pathways are more uneven or are softer underfoot, in these areas hardstanding temporary trackway has been laid.
A limited number of wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to hire. To ensure availability, they should be booked in advance by calling 01283 245 100. We respectfully ask that a donation is made for the use of a manual wheelchair; a charge of £10 applies for the hire of an electric scooter. Payment will be taken at the time of booking.
We hope you're feeling hungry - we'll be offering a tasty selection of tasty treats in our Restaurant.
Along the route you'll also be able to pick up fresh hot food and drinks.
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We look forward to welcoming visitors to Illuminated.
We have pulled together a list of all our frequently asked questions that will help you plan a visit.
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